Thursday, January 10, 2019

And now Margaret Chalmers has gifted a salver to celebrate her half-century with the Highland Perthshire club.

It will be competed for by lady members off scratch in the over 50 age group.

Keen golfer Margaret (85), who has also celebrated 75 years membership at Downfield GC in Dundee, is a past winner of the Atholl Cup for the Ladies Highland Open Scratch Championship, which she captured 12 months before joining Pitlochry.

“When I was younger there were very few ladies scratch competitions.

“I decided to give the trophy to the club for senior scratch golfers to play for,” explained Margaret, whose family is steeped in golf.

“We used to go on family holidays every summer to Pitlochry and I learned to play during the war thanks to lessons on the 18th fairway from the first professional John Murray.

“I was around 10 and my brother also got lessons. Later on I also got lessons from Jimmy Wilson.

“There were tennis courts back then on the land where the six-hole short game course is now.

“That is a fabulous facility, particularly for youngsters earning the game.”

Margaret, who is a seven times Downfield club champion and honorary member and past captain and president of Angus County, played off six in her heyday and won the North of Scotland Veterans championship at Alyth in 1996.

“I joined Pitlochry a year after winning the Highland Open in 1967. The members have always been so kind and friendly. The ladies section is super. It has a very good social side.

“I played for Pitlochry in the Scratch League and was delighted when the current team won it last year for the first time.

“I have had a great time playing golf. I was hooked from the start and have played all my life.

“The family always played the game. My father David won the Calder Cup at Pitlochry in the 1920s. He was still getting round a golf course at 87.”

Pitlochry Ladies captain Louise Kelly welcomed Margaret’s gift.

“Margaret is a lovely lady and it is a real honour to have someone like her as part of the club.

“She has been such a good golfer in her time, and is one of our longest serving and most popular members,” said Louise.

CAPTION to PICTURE

PItlochry ladies captain Louise Kelly receives a silver salver from Margaret Chalmers to celebrate 50 years as a member of the Highland Perthshire club.